Browsing: GI bill

Seven initiatives are on the table in Congress to improve GI Bill benefits, especially for family members. What’s in store? Read more. While the GI Bill might get beefed up, Special Duty Assignment Pay is not. Thousands of enlisted soldiers will have their SDAP reduced or eliminated under a budget-driven overhaul of the SDAP program. Good news is still out there for soldiers looking to save their careers during the drawdown by switching to an understrength MOS. See the list of hot MOSs, and the latest on bonuses for critical skills, in the print issue.

See our 2014 rankings of the top colleges for soldiers. Some of the factors we took a look at include how each college supports soldiers and vets, their academic quality and the financial aid they offer. Some good news: More traditional universities are embracing distance learning. See our 2014 rankings of the Best for Vets colleges in the Nov. 18 print issue of Army Times, on sale now. Also in this week’s issue: As the Army enters a large period of force reduction, staying in is getting harder. With the fiscal 2014 reenlistment window opening for some active duty soldiers,…

On this week’s cover, the Army is laying out a new noncommissioned officer career timeline that requires more time in rank for a promotion, and less time to stay in-rank before you’re promoted or separated. Average time in rank for sergeants first class and master sergeants will increase by a year and a half and just over two years, respectively. Also this week, as the Army re-configures its brigade combat teams, about 200 units will be inactivated, while hundreds of small units will be moved or converted to other brigades. Do you think veterans who choose to study math or…

Unfit or nondeployable targeted for separation — over 25,000 this year The Army is cutting its ranks more quickly than expected as it works toward its eventual goal of 490,000 active-duty soldiers. In addition to natural attrition, most of the reductions the Army will make this year will come from two places: Officials project as many as 15,000 soldiers could be booted for misconduct or not meeting the required standards, such as physical fitness and weight control. The Army also estimates it will separate as many as 11,000 active-duty soldiers who have been backlogged in the military’s disability evaluation system.…